Concert Viewing Available (April 10 @ 8PM)
Rhythm of the Roots – 2021 Concert Artists
VERENA ANDERS
Verena Lucía Anders is a LatinX pianist, conductor, composer, vocalist and music educator.
Verena is also the founder of Symphonic Revolution, a chamber
orchestra which advocates for diversity and inclusion. Verena is the co-founder of Conductors for Change. Verena completed her Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance at the University of Maryland and her Master’s Degree in Conducting in 2010 from the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. She currently lives with her husband, Will Buthod, in Atlanta, Georgia.
ALANA BENNETT
Cellist Alana Bennett of Atlanta is a graduate of New York University and Indiana University. She has performed at Carnegie Hall with the acclaimed New York String Orchestra. Alana serves as principal cellist of the Dekalb Symphony Orchestra and the cellist for the Laridae Quintet, which prioritizes musical education in underserved communities. She has also played with LaGrange Symphony, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and Symphony Orchestra Augusta. Alana is a faculty member at Georgia State’s Perimeter College.
TARA BYRDSONG
Acclaimed Flutist and Educator Tara Byrdsong holds a Master of Music in flute performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a Bachelor of Music from Converse College in Spartanburg, S.C. Tara is an alum of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Talent Development Program, Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, and the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony. Tara has performed as a solo flutist and ensemble artist throughout the United States, Prague, Vienna and England. She is currently Band Director at MLK Middle School.
ANGELICA HAIRSTON
Harpist Angelica Hairston is known for her fiery performances and her passion for social change. Throughout her career, she has made it a priority to create social impact through the power of the arts. Angelica is a recipient of the 2019 Georgia Governor’s Award for the Arts and Humanities. She is the founder of the organization Challenge the Stats and currently serves as the Artistic Director of the Urban Youth Harp Ensemble providing free harp instruction to over 90 students in Atlanta, GA. Angelica is an internationally acclaimed performer and holds a Master of Music Industry Leadership from Northeastern University and a Bachelor of Music from The Royal Conservatory in Toronto, Ontario.
TRAMAINE JONES
Tramaine Jones began learning the violin at the age of nine and has not put down her instrument since. She is a graduate of the Tri-cities High School Performing Arts Program and went on to receive a highly competitive scholarship to attend Northwestern University. While at NU, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Violin Performance and Master’s Degree in Music Education. Tramaine is a highly-regarded violinist in the Atlanta area and performs regularly with the Symphony Orchestra of Augusta, Tuscaloosa Symphony, and the Harlem Festival Orchestra.
MICHAEL MORRIS
Michael Morris, Jr. is a Professional Concert Dancer who began his dance training at the Martha Ellen Stilwell High School for the Arts. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Classical Ballet from the Boston Conservatory. After graduation, he performed on the Celebrity Cruise Line, touring Europe, Asia, The Caribbean and The Middle East. Michael has performed in New York City’s “Broadway Bares: Take Off”, American Ballet Theatre’s Metropolitan Opera House Spring Season, and has spent countless summers training under full scholarships with American Ballet Theatre, Miami City Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Atlanta Ballet and The Georgia Youth Ballet.
Shadwa mussad
Egyptian-American violinist/violist Shadwa Mussad has had a lifelong passion for enriching people’s lives through music. Through her involvement with the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, a group which promotes dialogue between Arab and Israeli musicians, she has performed in celebrated venues such as Carnegie Hall, Berlin Philharmonie, La Scala, Tchaikovsky Conservatory Hall and the Salzburg Festspielhaus. Locally, Shadwa plays with the Atlanta Ballet and Atlanta Pops, and is Director of Orchestras at Campbell High School. She holds a dual-Masters degree from the Ohio State University, a Graduate Performance Diploma from Longy School of Music of Bard College, and a Bachelors of Music Education from the University of Georgia.
MARIE DOUGLAS
Marie Douglas is a hornist, educator, and composer, who currently serves as the Director of Bands and Music Technology at Tucker High School in Dekalb County, Georgia. Marie recieved her undergraduate degree in Music with a concentration in French Horn Performance from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University. Marie holds graduate degrees in Internet Marketing from Full Sail University and Music Technology and Performance from Southern Utah University. Marie performs with the Cobb Wind Symphony, and is an adjunct professor of Music Theory and Music History at Southern Utah University. In addtion, Marie serves as chief arranger for high school band programs across the southeastern United States.
Ricky Saucedo
Ricky Saucedo studied clarinet and flute performance at Georgia State University, and has been a woodwind instructor for numerous schools throughout the Atlanta area while maintaining a private studio. Ricky has been featured as a solo guest artist with the New Atlanta Philharmonic and also with members of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. He has studied with Ayako Oshima and Charles Neidich of The Juilliard School.
Jessica Stinson
Violinist Jessica Robinson Stinson has been hailed as a “thrilling and spectacular” performer with “remarkably mature musicianship”. Jessica has performed extensively throughout the United States and Europe. She received a Master’s in Violin Performance from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. A passionate advocate for music in her community, Jessica is an active pedagogue and coach and maintains her own private violin studio. Jessica performs regularly with the Atlanta Symphony and Ballet Orchestras and was appointed to the violin section of the Atlanta Opera Orchestra in 2018.
NIANI BRAXTON
Niani Braxton, at age 15, is a powerful young poet and orator. She is currently a sophomore at Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts. Niani has enjoyed writing from a young age and has always admired the work of Maya Angelou. She loves acting and singing. Niani hopes to be a successful actress one day and use her platform to bring about social change and awareness.